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Sunday, June 14, 2015

Convergence week 8 (the final one!)

Man, I cannot believe I've managed to write about every single issue in this event. I know some reviews have simply been 'I can't be arsed to write about this', but they are still words, about each and every comic. Woo, go me, ect, ect.

Now to do the final week's batch.

Convergence: World's Finest 2
Not bad. The cartooning journalist is a high point, again. Sir Justin is alright, but I prefer Sir Ystin from Paul Cornell's Demon Knights. At least these guys are all heroes, acting heroically. There's a couple of panels with Telos' giant hands too, which makes for a fun read, Probably not a keeper though.
The We are Robin preview was dull.

Convergence: Justice Society of America 2
Also not bad. The JSA are young again with all their powers, and easily defeat the enemy. Then they lose their powers and get old again, giving us this panel:

This is not good art, because although the guys look marginally different (if you really look) you cannot tell who is who.

It's a shame, because the comic also has this crowd scene, which is a marvellous piece of comic art:

It was nice to see the old guys up and at it again, but I'm not sure whether this issue is worth keeping/ I def preferred Hawkman in the Convergence: Hawkman issues.

The preview is for Superman/Wonder Woman and it is violent and dull. Supes looks rather like pre 52 Conner Kent and tells Diana he doesn't love her anymore. I'm still not interested in this Truth storyline, despite Anj's praises for the first Greg Pak penned issue. Sorry Anj, I'm just a cynic! Wondy has nice armour though.

Convergence: Action Comics 2
This was good, with a great Amanda Conner cover:

Seriously, how great is that? Doesn't Peej look angry? I love it. Especially the stars around their feet. It's just really, really nicely designed.

The issue itself is also very strong. Earth 2 (?) Peej (Kara) and Superman are fighting the Red Son universe Wonder Woman. Lex Luthor is still bitter. The characterisation for the Red Son characters are accurate and the two worlds are slotted together really nicely. I really, really enjoyed this. Keeper, obvs.

The back up preview is for Sinestro. I flicked through it but didn't read it properly.

Convergence: Infinity Inc 2
The characters and setting for this comic feel so dated, yet I found myself enjoying it. I'm not sure why, looking at the cover I can't quite recall what happened in it. On reopening it I enjoy the sense of familiarity at the characters used, but it doesn't fill me with excitement. Probably not a keeper then.

The backup is for Batgirl, which I'm already getting. I didn't like the video game conceit of this preview, tho the art and plotting is good enough.

Convergence: Plastic Man and the Freedom Fighters 2
I'm still not understanding why Plas is with the Freedom Fighters. But it reminds me that I did see this great Plastic Lady cosplay online today.
The Freedom Fighters look ridiculous, but that's not really what this comic is about. It's about Plas stepping up and being a hero. That makes this worth keeping, I think.

The backup preview is Harley Quinn. Every month I enjoy the Harley comic, but I feel no affinity to it and no desire to keep it. I pass it on to a friend. I cannot quite understand why it's so popular.

Convergence: Detective Comics 2
Earth 2 Huntress and Robin are up against Red Son Superman. Supes doesn't want to fight but Huntress is all fists first, talk later. Red Son Batman comes to their aid. Like Action Comics, the characterisation of the Red Son Characters are spot on. The art (and cover) is partly by Bill Sinkiewicz and it's wonderful. Def a keeper.

The preview is for the Flash, drawn by Brett Booth and it is ugly to look at.

Convergence: Booster Gold 2
I've lost track of which Booster this is. Nevertheless, it's a fun issue until Booster turns into Waverider, which to my mind makes him far more serious with more gravitas than Booster should ever be given. And the character design is stupid. I'm going to keep the issue though. The back up is for Earth 2: Society, with this terrible piece of Peej art:

I tweeted the picture and Escher Girls picked it up and will post it. It's awful, in all sorts of ways.

Convergence: Crime Syndicate 2
I liked issue 1 far more than this. This is mostly fights, coloured in a washed out palette that I can't decide if I like or not. The Crime Syndicate are fighting Justice League Alpha, a future league from the 853rd century. The character designs of Alpha WW and Alpha Aquaman are nice. Alpha WW is the only left standing at the end of the issue. I don't really care for this, it's uninspired, there's not passion.

The preview is for Cyborg and it's very new 52 ish. Dull.

Convergence: Shazam 2
This comic is great. It's homely. It's like a bit warm hug, with thrills. If you like Captain Marvel you should read it.

The preview is for Constantine, and although I don't know a lot about Constantine, I don't think the creators got his characters right. I shan't be picking this up.

Convergence: Blue Beetle 2
I'm still baffled as to why Beetle is teaming up with Cap'n Shinypants and the Question. They are fighting the Legion and there's misunderstandings galore and it looks like it's all going to pot, until Beetle and a Legionnaire hatch a plan and fool Telos into thinking one side has won. Unlike the Crime Syndicate issue, this comic, full of costumed folk fighting, had soul in it. Really good and definitely a keeper.

The preview was for Black Canary with art by Annie Wu. It looks very nice, but it doesn't feel like 'my' Canary. I've ordered issue 1 anyway. I think this series won't last that long and if I don't get it I'll regret it.

Convergence 8
I did have a a lot of thoughts on this, mostly around the what the hell is happening variety, but it's been about 2 weeks since I read it and now I don't think I care. I do like the choice of characters on the cover - Hal, pre Crisis Kara, Barry Allen, pre 52 Supes, Lois and son. I think what has happened is that the first crisis may not have panned out the way we knew, Barry and Kara may still be alive, Clark, Lois and son are certainly alive somewhere, and Hal maybe didn't die. All the earths referenced in Convergence and Multiversity are still around, or most of them anyway, and have continued to exist from when their relative timelines were last referenced in Convergence or Multiversity. DC have said Convergence opens the doors for any and all stories to be told, continuity be hanged. I don't think I'm really fussed about what happened. This is a dull story told with very little affection or love, but it did give us some cracking 2 issue minis.